A walk on the Burren Way offers a landscape that includes Arctic, Mediterranean and Alpine flora, along with archaeological remains, writes Francis Bradley
THE WEATHER in north-west Clare can be a little inclement by times, what with the ocean beside you. On one of my many visits to the area I walked down to the bluff overlooking the beach in Fanore, where a lifeguards' hut is located, and used it as shelter from rain being driven by a ripping Atlantic wind.
Understandably, there wasn't a soul on the beach, and as I retraced my steps along the approach road I realised that, other than lunatic Irish dancing in a cramped caravan - see Graham Norton as Fr Furlong in Father Ted - you couldn't do much better than have a good walk in these conditions.
Back up at the crossroads on the R477, this is where we start our walk. You will recognise this point by the presence of a church nearby on a side road. Head north on the R477 and, after few hundred metres, turn right up a gravelled track.
Leave the track where it swings to a bungalow on the right. Cross a wall and continue on a small path that widens to a grassy track between stone walls.
You now make a gradual northerly ascent with the R477 on your left, and if the weather is any way clear you will see the Aran Islands to the west and the Twelve Bens and Maumturks to the northwest.
About one and a half kilometres from the start of the walk you leave the track and ascend a spur on the right, climbing to the ring fort at Caherdoonfergus.
The distinctive little lighthouse at Black Head is about a kilometre away to the northwest - you would have to descend quite a distance to catch a glimpse of the lighthouse.
Continue in a southeasterly direction to point 314m, as indicated on Sheet 51 of Ordnance Survey Ireland's Discovery series maps (take a compass reading if visibility is bad).
The top of 314m is a big limestone pavement, but there is a big summit cairn in place for reassurance, and from here head for Gleninagh Mountain.
Keep to the high ground to the left (north) of a depression, at 205m on the map. There is an Ordnance Survey triangulation pillar on the top of Gleninagh.
Descend east to meet a track, indicated as a broken black line on the Sheet 51.
Turn right here and continue in a southerly direction on a sometimes indistinct track, passing a derelict house on the right. The track improves here, where you proceed for 500m to a road.
Now turn right on to the Burren Way. Continue for one and a half kilometres, until you encounter a tarmacked road. Again, turn right, and it is downhill all the way to the finish/start of the walk.
A note to those new to the area: the Burren is a karst landscape with an impressive variety of flora and archaeological remains. The grikes, or cracks in the limestone pavements, support Arctic, Mediterranean and Alpine plant species. It is illegal to remove plants or pick flowers. Also, take care crossing the limestone pavements: the grikes have caught out many unwary walkers.
• For variety, you can start this walk northeast of Gleninagh Mountain, on the R477. Find the track that will take you south over the saddle between Gleninagh and Cappanawalla and you will join up with the track in the description below
The Burren, Co Clare
Start and finishFanore, in northwest Co Clare, on
the R477 near a church.
DistanceAbout 15km.
TimeFour or four and a half hours, depending on
fitness, enthusiasm and the weather.
MapsOrdnance Survey Ireland Discovery sheet 51 and
Tim Robinson's brilliantly informative (but contourless) map The
Burren.
SuitabilityA moderate walk that requires care from
adults and extra care for small children - mind the grikes. Know
how to read a map and use a compass. Dress appropriately and bring
drinks and snacks, especially for children, and don't litter.
Accommodation and refreshmentsLimited in Fanore.
Plenty in Ballyvaughan.